Differences in Jury Types and Court Jurisdictions

Grand Jury

Determines evidence sufficiency for criminal charges.

Petit Jury

Decides guilt or innocence in trials.

Compensatory Damages

Covers hospital bills and lost income.

Punitive Damages

Additional penalties for reckless behavior.

Furman v. Georgia

1972 ruling against unfair death penalty use.

Gregg v. Georgia

1976 ruling allowing fair application of death penalty.

Original Jurisdiction

Court hears a case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

Court reviews decisions of lower courts.

Exclusive Jurisdiction

Only one court type can hear a case.

Concurrent Jurisdiction

Multiple courts can hear the same case.

Death Penalty Appeals

Automatic appeals to highest state court post-conviction.

Merit Selection

Judges nominated by qualifications, then appointed.

Appointment of Judges

Judges selected by governor or legislature.

Partisan Election

Judges run with political party affiliation.

Nonpartisan Election

Judges run without political party label.

Impeachment

Legislature votes to remove judges for misconduct.

Recall Election

Voters remove judges through special elections.

Judicial Review Boards

Investigate complaints and recommend judge removal.

Mandatory Retirement

Judges retire at a specified age.

Term Limits

Restrictions on duration of office service.

Legislators' Term Limits

Some states limit re-election terms for lawmakers.

Judges' Terms

Some judges have fixed terms, others serve for life.